Display and mailing envelope



Dec. 27, 1966 w. L. HIERSTEINER DISPLAY AND MAILING ENVELOPE Filed June30, 1965 ,1 39 as 38 ea DAYLYGHT Fl L M 5.

INVENTOR' Wa/fefl L. ///2/'.67@//?/ May/Mama ATTORNEY.

United States Patent 3,294,234 DISPLAY AND MAILING ENVELOPE Walter L.Hiersteiner, Mission, Kans., assignor to Tension Envelope Corporation,Kansas City, Mo., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 30, 1965, Ser.No. 468,474 6 Claims. (Cl. 206-78) This invention relates to amerchandising display and mailing envelope for articles of merchandise,for example, a carton of photographic film, and which envelope is usedto mail the film to a film processing company after exposure, therebypromoting sale of film and the service of the film processing company.

Envelopes of this character provide for display of fresh film enclosedin a bubble attached to a part of the envelope. In this way, the freshfilm may be carried on a rack in an attractive display and in easyaccess of a prospective customer.

Envelopes of this character as made prior to the present invention areprovided with an integral, detachable part upon which the bubblecontaining a package of fresh film is attached, so that the detachablepart can be removed without in any way injuring the envelope for use inmailing the film. However, such envelopes as previously constructed aredifiicult to make on high speed rotary envelope making machines. Theyare also wasteful of materials, and require additional procedures totreat the material of the envelopes for attachment of the bubble,consequently, the envelopes are expensive.

It is, therefore, the principal object of the present invention toprovide a novel envelope construction which is easily and inexpensivelymanufactured in large volume on high speed rotary envelope machines ofthe type for making window envelopes or envelopes containing a linmg.

In carrying out the invention, the bubble carrier on the envelope isformed as a separate part and is secured thereto by adhesive, such asthe window patches of window envelopes, the lining of lined envelopes,and the like. In this way, the bubble carrier may be made from apretreated or coated'roll of web material, automatically cut to size,and aflixed by adhesive applied to the blank from which the envelope ismade, all incidental to operations involved in the high speed foldingand sealing of envelopes in the manufacture thereof.

It is also an object of the invention to aflix the bubble carrier topreferably an extension of the bottom flap of the envelope, therebymaking the blank easier to fold and the bubble carrier easier to detachwhen the envelope is to be used, without danger of tearing the envelopeand destroying the usefulness thereof;

It is also an object of the invention to provide the closure flap of theenvelope with a part that tucks between the bubble and bubble carrierincidental to application of the bubble, so as to better anchor thebubble carrier in contact with the envelope and retain the foldedposition of the closure flap.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I haveprovided improved construction, the preferred form of which isillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an envelope and display constructed andassembled in accordance with the present invention, for carrying abubble to seal in an article of merchandise, such as a carton of freshfilm.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the envelope, bubblecarrier and bubble with the article of merchandise contained therein,the section being taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the envelope showing the bubble carrierand closure flap partly folded,

3,294,234 Patented Dec. 27, 1966 to "better illustrate the invention asit is supplied by the envelope manufacturer to a user.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the bubble carrier with the bubblethereon after it has been removed from the envelope.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view of a corner of the envelope having theclosure flap and showing the closure flap retained closed by means otherthan the adhesive of FIG. 3.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates a completed envelope constructed in accordance with thepresent invention.

The body portion 2 of the envelope is formed of a blank of sheetmaterial folded and sealed to provide a substantially rectangular frontpanel 3, a substantially rectangular back panel 4, a bottom flap 5, anda closure flap 6. The back panel 4 may be provided by side flaps 7 and 8(FIG. 3) coextensive with respective sides of the front panel 3 andconnected therewith on folds 9 and 10, to overlie the.inner face of thefront panel 3. The side flaps 7 and 8 overlap each other and areinterconnected by adhesive 11 to form a seam 12, as illustrated in FIG.3. The bottom flap 5 (top of envelope on display) is coextensive withthe bottom edge of the front panel 3 along a'fold =13 to overlap theadjacent marginal portions of the side flaps 7 and 8 for connectiontherewith by adhesive 14, to complete formation of the back panel 4. Thepanels 3 and 4 are thus connected along three of their edges by thefolds 9, 10' and 13, to provide a pocket 15. The opposite edges 16 ofthe side flaps 7 and 8 are unconnected with respect to the correspondingedge of the front panel 3, to provide an insert opening 17 to the pocket15. The closure flap 6 is coextensive with the front panel 3 along aline of fold 18, so that the closure flap may be folded over the insertopening 17 to be subsequently sealed to the back panel 4 by an adhesive19 when the envelope is to be used for mailing purposes, as hereinafterdescribed.

The envelope of the present invention is adapted for use with thedisplay of various articles of merchandise, however, the envelopeillustrated in the drawings is especially constructed for use inconnection with the sale of a package of fresh photographic film 20, andfor enclosing the film after exposure thereof when mailing the film tothe processor for development and making prints thereof as may 'beordered.

Therefore, in carrying out the present invention, one of the flaps,which in the illustrated instance is the bottom flap 5, has an unsealedextension 21 along the transverse edge to affix a carrier sheet ormember 22 for attaching a bubble or shell 23, as later described. Inaccordance with the present invention, the carrier sheet or member 22 isapplied as a separate part during manufacture of the envelope. Themember 22 is preferably of substantially the same width as the bottomflap 5 and is of a length to provide a marginal portion 24 lapping theinner face of the extension 21 of the bottom flap 5, so that it may bepermanently sealed to-the extension by adhesive 25 (FIG. 4). Theopposite free edge 26 of the carrier sheet or member 22 is terminated inunderlapping relation with a part 27 of the unsealed closure flap 6,which part 27 may be a tab as illustrated. When a tab is used, the tabhas a line of detachment, for example, a line of perforations 28. Theextension 21 also has a line of perforations 29 at the juncture there-ofwith the sealed portion of the bottom flap, to

provide for detachment of the carrier sheet 22 when the envelope is usedfor mailing.

The face side 30 of the bubble carrier sheet provides for attachment Offa bubble or shell 23 for display therein of the fresh package of film20. The bubble 23 is transparent and may be formed of cellulose acetateor similar transparent material. In the illustrated instance, the bubblehas a dome portion 32 conforming to the shape of the film package. Thedome portion 32 may be pressed into shape from a single sheet oftransparent material to provide a front 33, sides 34 and.35, andtransverse wall portions 36 and 37, all preferably joined together onrounding curves 38 to provide a recess 39 open at the back 40 andthrough which the film package 20 is inserted into the recess.

The sides 34 and 35 and the wall portions 36 and 37 have outwardlyextending lateral flanges 41 for attachment to the front face of thebubble carrier or sheet 22, for example, by heat sealing.

In order to heat seal the flanges 41 to the face of the carrier, thecarrier is treated or coated with a bonding material as shown at 42 inFIG. 2. The carrier sheet 22 is preferably treated prior to attachmentthereof to the extension 21 of the bottom flap 5. In this way, thematerial of the carrier may be supplied already treated to the envelopemaking machine from a roll, cut to size, and secured to the extension 21of the bottom flap 5 prior to folding over and sealing the bottom flap5. One type of bonding material which is satisfactory is known by thename Proxseal 19-23 l-A, manufactured by the Proclin Products Company,of Chicago, Illinois. With such treatment, the bubble 23 is readily heatsealed therewith to fix the bubble, preferably by the user of theenvelopes.

In order that the envelopes bearing the film packages may be suspendedfrom arms 43 (in dotted lines, FIG. 2), the envelopes have apertures 44.

The outer face of the back panel 4, as well as the inner and outer facesof the bubble carrier sheet 22, provide space for advertising copyrelating to the film and the services of the film processor.

The blank which forms the envelope part of the device may be printed andthe perforations 28 and 29 applied. The adhesive 25 is applied to theextension 21 of the bottom flap 5. The patch forming the bubble carriersheet 22 is stuck to the adhesive 25. The adhesive 19 is applied on theclosure flap 6 and dried. The side flaps 7 and 8 are folded over theinner face of the panel 3 and sealed together by the adhesive 11. Theadhesive 14 is applied to the inner face of the bottom flap 5, afterwhich the bot-tom flap 5 with the bubble carrier sheet attached theretois folded over the panel 4 to seal the bottom flap, which completes thepocket 15 of the envelope. The closure flap 6 is folded over the insertopening 17, which brings the tab 27 over the marginal edge 26 of thehubble carrier sheet 22. The apertures 44 may be punched through thecompleted envelope. The envelopes are delivered by the envelopemanufacturer to the user for insertion of the film packages 30 andapplication of the bubbles 23. The domes 32 of the bubbles may be formedin proper size, depending upon the size of the film package to be placedtherein.

To complete assembly of the display device by the .user, the bubble 23with the film package 20 therein is placed with the flange portion 41seated on the bonding coat 42 and rested upon the tab 27. The bubble 23is secured by heat sealing the flange portions 41 and the coating 42together.

The film package 20 when thus incased is securely retained on thecarrier sheet 22 and is attractively displayed through the dome 32without handling thereof by the customer.

The engagement of the part or tab 27 on the closure flap 6 holds theclosure fiap 6 closed and also retains the bubble carrier sheet 22flatly against the body 2 of the envelope.

The customer will purchase the film with the envelope as a single unit,and is assured of being made aware of the services of the filmprocessor.

The bubble carrier sheet 22 bearing the film package 20 is easilyremoved by the customer upon breaking the tab 27 along the line ofperforations 28 and tearing off the extension 21 along the line ofpenforations 29, to leave the envelope portion intact for use as amailing envelope.

The bubble 23 may be pulled loose from the bubble carrier sheet 22,freeing the film package 20 for removal of the film, after which thebubble and bubble carrier sheet may be discarded.

After exposure of the film, the film and money for processing areinserted into the pocket 15 of the envelope. The closure flap 6 isfolded and sealed to the back panel 4 by means of the adhesive 19. Ifdesired, the adhesive on the closure flap 6 may be omitted and theclosure flap may be held closed by taping or by a staple 45, shown inFIG. 5.

What I claim and desire to secure by letters Patent is: 1. A display andmailing envelope for an article of mechandise, said envelope includinggenerally rectangular front and back panels interconnected to provide apocket therebetween having an insert opening,

one of said panels being provided by overlapping flaps on the otherpanel folded and sealed together by adhesive,-

a closure flap along said insert opening,

a carrying sheet for displaying an article of merchandise thereon andhaving one marginal edge portion lapping a marginal edge portion of oneof said flaps for extension therefrom,

adhesive sealing said marginal edge portions together,

and

means for retaining an article to be displayed on the carrying sheet,

said carrying sheet being detachable from said one flap when the articleis to be placedwithin the pocket of the envelope.

2. A display and mailing envelope as described in claim 1,

wherein the carrying sheet is treated with a bonding material, and

the means for retaining the article of \mechandise is a transparentshell bonded to said carrying sheet.

3. A display and mailing envelope for an article of merchandise, saidenvelope including generally rectangular front and back panelsinterconnected to provide a pocket therebetween having an insertopening,

one of said panels being provided by overlapping flaps sealed togetherby adhesive,

a closure flap along said insert opening,

a carrying sheet for displaying an article of merchandise thereon andhaving a portion overlapped by a portion of one of the flaps,

adhesive securing the carrying sheet to one of said other flaps,

means for retaining an article to be displayed on the carrying sheet andsaid means having a portion thereof lapping said portion of said oneflap to cooperate with the adhesive in holding the carrying sheetagainst the envelope, and

said carrying sheet being detachable from the said other flap when theportion of said one flap is released from between the carrying sheet andsaid portion of the article retaining means to place the article intothe pocket of the envelope.

4. A display and mailing envelope for an article of merchandise,including generally rectangular front and back panels interconnectedalong two edges by folds,

a bottom flap and a closure flap on other edges of one panel,

adhesive securing the bottom flap to said other panel and cooperatingwith the folds in closing sides and bottom of a pocket between saidpanels with the pocket having an insert opening covered by the closureflap,

a carrying sheet for displaying an article of merchandise thereon,

adhesive securing the carrying sheet to one of said flaps,

the other of said flaps having a portion overlapping a portion of thecarrying sheet,

means for retaining an article to be displayed on the carrying sheet andholding said portion of said other flap in contact with the carryingsheet for cooperating with said one flap in retaining the carrying sheetagainst the envelope and said closure flap in closed position over theinsert opening when the article is on display,

said portion of said other flap being releasable to free the carryingsheet for facilitating detachment from said one flap when the article isto be placed within the pocket of the envelope, and

an adhesive on the closure flap to seal closed the closure flap when thearticle is placed in said pocket.

5. A display and mailing envelope for an article of merchandise,including generally rectangular front and back panels interconnectedalong two edges by folds,

a bottom flap and a closure flap on other edges of one panel,

an extension on the bottom flap and having an easy line of tear,

a carrying sheet for displaying an article of merchandise thereon,

adhesive securing the carrying sheet to one face of the extension of thebottom flap,

adhesive securing the bottom flap to said other panel and cooperatingwith the folds in closing sides and bottom of a pocket between saidpanels with the pocket having an insert opening at the closure flap,

said closure flap having a portion overlapping a portion of the carryingsheet opposite the seal flap,

means for retaining an article to be displayed to the carrying sheet andholding said portion of the closure flap in contact with the carryingsheet to cooperate with the bottom flap in retaining the carrying sheetagainst the envelope and said closure flap in closed position over theinsert opening when the article is on display,

said portion of the closure flap being removable to free the carryingsheet for facilitating detachment of the extension from the bottom flapwhen the carrying sheet is removed for insertion of the article into thepocket of the envelope, and

an adhesive on the closure flap to seal the closure flap when thearticle is placed in said pocket.

'6. A display and mailing envelope for an article of merchandise,including generally rectangular front and back panels interconnectedalong two edges by folds,

a bottom flap and a closure flap on other edges of one panel andoverlying the other panel,

an extension on the bottom fiapand having an easy line of tear fordetachment of said extension,

a tab on the closure flap,

a carrying sheet for displaying an article of merchandise thereon andhaving a marginal portion lapping the extension,

adhesive securing said lapping marginal portion of the carrying sheet tothe extension,

adhesive securing the bottom flap to said other panel and cooperatingwith the folds in closing sides and bottom of a pocket between saidpanels with the pocket having an insert opening at the closure flap,

said tab of the closure flap overlapping a portion of the carrying sheetopposite the seal flap,

a transparent shell sealed to the carrying sheet for retaining anarticle to be displayed and holding said tab of the closure flap againstthe carrying sheet to cooperate twith the bottom flap in retaining thecarrying sheet against the envelope and said closure flap in closedposition over the insert opening when the article is on display,

said tab having an easy line of tear on which the tab is severed fromthe closure flap to free the carrying sheet for facilitating detachmentof the extension from the bottom flap when the article is to be placedwithin the pocket of the envelope, and

an adhesive on the closure flap to seal the closure flap when thearticle is placed in said pocket.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2, 1 60,255 5/1939 Waller 2-06-29 2,877,944 3/ 1959 Hyman 229-72 X 3,093,244 6/ 1963Middleton et a1. 206-78 JOSEPH R. LECLAIR, Primary Examiner. DAVID M,QCK Examiner,

5. A DISPLAY AND MAILING ENVELOPE FOR AN ARTICLE OF MERCHANDISE,INCLUDING GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FRONT AND BACK PANELS INTERCONNECTEDALONG TWO EDGES BY FOLDS, A BOTTOM FLAP AND A CLOSURE FLAP ON OTHEREDGES OF ONE PANEL, AN EXTENSION ON THE BOTTOM FLAP AND HAVING AN EASYLINE OF TEAR, A CARRYING SHEET FOR DISPLAYING AN ARTICLE OF MERCHANDISETHEREON, ADHESIVE SECURING THE CARRYING SHEET TO ONE FACE OF THEEXTENSION OF THE BOTTOM FLAP, ADHESIVE SECURING THE BOTTOM FLAP TO SAIDOTHER PANEL AND COOPERABLE WITH THE FOLDS IN CLOSING SIDES AND BOTTOM OFA POCKET BETWEEN SAID PANELS WITH THE POCKET HAVING AN INSET OPENING ATTHE CLOSURE FLAP, SAID CLOSURE FLAP HAVING A PORTION OVERLAPPING APORTION OF THE CARRYING SHEET OPPOSITE THE SEAL FLAP, MEANS FORRETAINING AN ARTICLE TO BE DISPLAYED TO THE CARRYING SHEET AND HOLDINGSAID PORTION OF THE CLOSURE FLAP IN CONTACT WITH THE CARRYING SHEET TOCOOPERATE WITH THE BOTTOM FLAP IN RETAINING THE CARRYING SHEET AGAINSTTHE ENVELOPE AND SAID CLOSURE FLAP IN CLOSED POSITION OVER THE INSERTOPENING WHEN THE ARTICLE IS ON DISPLAY, SAID PORTION OF THE CLOSURE FLAPBEING REMOVABLE TO FREE THE CARRYING SHEET FOR FACILITATING DETACHMENTOF THE EXTENSION FROM THE BOTTOM FLAP WHEN THE CARRYING SHEET IS REMOVEDFOR INSERTION OF THE ARTICLE INTO THE POCKET OF THE ENVELOPE, AND ANDADHESIVE ON THE CLOSURE FLAP TO SEAL THE CLOSURE FLAP WHEN THE ARTICLEIS PLACED IN SAID POCKET.